Eurocommissaris Hahn: een nieuwe stedelijke agenda voor Europa (en)
Speaking at the Eurocities 2013 "Smart Citizens" conference in Ghent, Belgium
Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn i, said:
"With the adoption of the Multifinancial Framework and the Cohesion Policy Package, the budget and reform of Structural Funds are secure. We have the green light to start work. One of the elements of the reform is the strengthening of the urban dimension.
This means investing in priorities such as sustainable urban mobility, revitalisation of cities and upgrading of research and innovation capacity in urban areas. I estimate 40% of structural funds are being spent in cities in this period, this likely to be 50% in the next period .
European goals can only be achieved with cities: for example energy efficiency, innovation and tackling poverty. Whatever important to Europe is concentrated in cities. Cities are actors, not just the stage on which modern life is played out. They need to make their voices heard. In February, we will start discussions on a new urban agenda for Europe".